San Juan Boundary

Dispute arose between the United States and Great

Britain out of a difference of opinion as to the meaning of the phrase

"middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver

Island" in the treaty of 1846, and by which the rightful possession of

San Juan and other islands in the vicinity for years remained unsettled.

A compromise was made in 1859, both governments jointly occupying San

Juan with troops. Finally, by the Washington Treaty of 1871, the

question was referred to the arbitration of the German emperor, who

decided in favour of the United States. =Index=: (Sir John A Macdonald era) Brought up under

Washington Treaty, 166; dispute caused by vague terms of Oregon Treaty,

178-179; submitted to arbitration of German emperor, 179; Macdonald on,

179-180; decision in favour of United States, 180-181. =Bib.=: Hertslet,

Treaties and Conventions.